How Colorado Qualifies Instructional Paraprofessionals
Public school districts across the Centennial State employ paraprofessionals to assist classroom teachers with small-group reading instruction, math scaffolding, English Language Development (ELD), and Special Education (SPED) services. Under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), all Title I paraprofessionals in Colorado must satisfy the following baseline qualifications:
- Hold a high school diploma or recognized equivalent (GED / HiSET).
- Satisfy one of the following three academic benchmarks:
- ETS ParaPro Assessment: Achieve a composite scaled score of 460 or higher.
- College Coursework: Complete at least 48 semester hours (or 72 quarter hours) at an accredited postsecondary institution.
- Degree Attainment: Hold an Associate degree or higher.
Major Colorado School District Hiring Benchmarks
Hiring is coordinated directly by local Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and school districts. Notable district hiring policies include:
- Denver Public Schools (DPS): Enforces strict 460 score verification for all Title I Special Education and ELA-S paraprofessional positions.
- Jefferson County Public Schools (Jeffco): Accepts official ETS score reports or 48 college credits with transcripts.
- Cherry Creek School District: Requires ParaPro 460+ or Paraeducator Academy certification.
- Aurora Public Schools: Offers district-sponsored testing sessions for qualified candidates.
How to Prepare and Achieve a 460+ Score
Achieving a 460 requires answering approximately 65 out of 90 questions correctly (~72% accuracy). Because calculators are prohibited, candidates should prioritize mental calculation, fraction rules, and passage reading strategies:
Full 90-Q Diagnostic Simulator
Take our timed 150-minute exam simulation to measure your Colorado passing probability.
Mental Math Study Guide
Master no-calculator mental math, fractions, and percentage estimation shortcuts.
Printable Exam Booklet (PDF)
Download or print physical 90-question test packets with bubble answer sheets.
50-State Passing Scores Hub
Compare Colorado cutoffs against neighboring states like Wyoming, Utah, and Kansas.